Customer Reviews

Gasparilla: Pirate Genius

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In the 1700s, Jose Gaspar, called Gasparilla, was king of the pirates and reigned in the Florida Keys and along Florida's west coast from Marco Island to Tampa Bay. He hid his female prisoners on Captiva Island until they could be ransomed. Before turning to piracy, Jose Gaspar was a young Spanish naval hero who became embittered by the corruption and brutality of the Spanish Crown. In this exceptionally entertaining historical novel, author James Kaserman develops the life of Jose Gaspar as a well educated and highly principled seaman who reaches the rank of admiral before his enemies savagely destroy all that he loves. Taking the name of Gasparilla, creates a pirate confederacy that includes a fortress on Gasparilla Island and Cayo Pelau, designs his own ships, is unbeatable in battle, and establishes one of the most profitable criminal enterprises of his era. Times are rough, murders are graphic, sex is raw, revenge is vicious, but is the ideas and ambitions of a pirate king that makes Gasparilla: Pirate Genius an historical novel of power, romance and tragedy which comes alive in the mind's eye and imagination of the reader.

This is the story of José Gaspar from his early childhood on the banks of the Guadalquivir River in Spain, to his last moments of life near Florida. The reader follows the observant lad through the Naval Academy, his leadership times, and his pirate career. The reader witnesses his true love, Dona Rosalita Santiago, and rejoices with them. Then witnesses his overwhelming tragedies.

I often found myself highlighting areas of interest and jotting down notes of wisdom, like the art of foot massage. I found the hero, José Gaspar, to be too pure of mind often, but the life he led was too fascinating to enable me to put down the book.

I believe this book to be a must to those who reside in Florida of The United States of America or anywhere in Spain, as well as, all who have interest in the history of pirates. Very interesting reading between these pages!

Though a great, romantic story of life in the Florida Gulf during the creation of America, the writing is as choppy as the waters of the Gulf Stream during Hurricane season. The reading will flow from time to time, only to be tossed about like a shrimp trauler on stormy seas. A tiresome read, though the well thought out story line will keep you going.

Poor old Jose Gaspar. He probably never dreamed his life story would be written in such a dreadfully dull and boring fashion. He would have come out of his watery grave and sliced up this author's ancestors, had he known. The large number of errors and stupefying prose eventually tips off the reader that this book is of the vanity press variety, and with good reason. Don't encourage this author.....he might be persuaded to write again.

This is the story of José Gaspar from his early childhood on the banks of the Guadalquivir River in Spain, to his last moments of life near Florida. The reader follows the observant lad through the Naval Academy, his leadership times, and his pirate career. The reader witnesses his true love, Dona Rosalita Santiago, and rejoices with them. Then witnesses his overwhelming tragedies.

I often found myself highlighting areas of interest and jotting down notes of wisdom, like the art of foot massage. I found the hero, José Gaspar, to be too pure of mind often, but the life he led was too fascinating to enable me to put down the book.

I believe this book to be a must to those who reside in Florida of The United States of America or anywhere in Spain, as well as, all who have interest in the history of pirates. Very interesting reading between these pages!

Now, apart from the book itself, I am told that Gasparilla Sarsaparilla (a non-alcoholic beverage that comes from the book) may well be available at the NFL Super Bowl in January 2001. The Super Bowl is scheduled to be in Tampa, Florida, along with the Gasparilla Pirate Fest celebration! So two fabulous events will be happening in that area in January! You may soon see various sodas in your local store from Kaserman also!

This was really exciting reading. It was another perspective of what was happening in the early beginnings of our country. This book is packed with adventure, suspense, daring and romance. Very enjoyable!

In this work, Mr. Kaserman blows the dust of old Florida Spanish history, and attacks the stereotype that Pirates were one dimensional. The sex is raw, from the beginning, and the masterful mix and handling of plot, history, and characterization grip the reader as the story of GASPARILLA, the Pirate Genius emerges.

Mr. Kaserman, our hats are off to you!

God awful.

The references to God, the Church, and Jesus in the book are just part of the story.

Many of the historical reflections are not of the time or inaccurately cast. None of the historical facts are backed up by references.

Gasparilla's character, the only one attempted, is poorly developed.

The sex makes no sense and adds nothing to the story. The "true" love is not sensuous and the "lustful" love is crude and not explained. The way I see it, the author has his mind on breasts and not on story telling.

In general, the story is a drudgery.

I read this book because I am in a book club that my wife started.

I believe the underlying story has merit. It just needs to be repaired. Hope this helps. Good luck.